“Now we have not received the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, so that we may know the things freely given to us by God.” ~ 1 Corinthians 2:12
What Are Some Encouraging Words...?
What are some encouraging words that we, as Christians, can use to build one another up while we wait for our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ to come back for us?
Over a decade ago, linguists' careful research showed there to be roughly 6900 known languages, which would seem to offer an abundance of ways to express anyone's thoughts and feelings, doesn't it? Still, anyone who understands what they've been forgiven of in Christ would argue that humanity lacks the words to praise God effectively.
And if - as many believe - it's true that we strive so much in that regard, can we find a way to use language sufficiently to lift up our fellow man? Sometimes it's not a problem.
We send an email message with accolades to a graduating senior for a job well done. Our friend receives our joyful congratulations on her newborn's arrival. Our sincere compliment goes out to members of our team after getting the job done in record time. What's hard about that?
Some encouraging words for the suffering
We all hurt sometimes. We suffer -- sometimes with others, but sometimes alone.
It's hard to say which kind of suffering might be the most difficult to endure. Most of us have a hard time knowing that others around us are suffering, but there's something about suffering alone that just compounds the original reason we began suffering at the start, isn't there!
When we find ourselves suffering alone, we realize we're on our own...there's no one around to commiserate with! Now, that's being miserable!!
The good news is that we are never alone. The Creator -- your Creator -- is never far "from any of us," and any of us includes you. You might find this too good to be true and too hard to believe, but God Himself says that exact thing in His word:
“The God who made the world and everything in it is the Lord of heaven and earth and does not live in temples built by human hands. And he is not served by human hands, as if he needed anything. Rather, he himself gives everyone life and breath and everything else. From one man he made all the nations, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he marked out their appointed times i:n history and the boundaries of their lands. God did this so that they would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from any one of us. ‘For in him we live and move and have our being.’ As some of your own poets have said, ‘We are his offspring.’
You can find these words in the Bible, in Acts chapter 17. A man named Paul, who was appointed by God to be an apostle to preach the great news of freedom to people who were not necessarily acquainted with their Creator, shared the above message to a crowd in Athens, Greece.
The same good news is for you!
Seek God, and He will be found by you. After all, He loved His "offspring" (us) enough to send Jesus to earth for our good.
You've probably heard or read John 3:16. For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. Does it mean anything to you?
How about verses 17 and 18, that follow it: For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son.
Are those some encouraging words? I vote yes!!
So, what are some encouraging words?
When I want to be encouraged, I often read Scripture and pray. I also sing, or listen to others sing. about God and His goodness. About His grace, justice, and mercy. And about His being right here, willing to help me in times of trouble.
Some of the music that lifts my spirits is beautifully elegant. Some of it is fun. Some fast-paced. Some slow and melodious. But it's all good if it speaks truth about Him.
Do You Have a Favorite Song or Hymn That Helps to Fill You Up? To Revive Your Spirit?
I know I have too many to name. But I'd love to share the lyrics of this one with you. It's called Ivory Palaces, and it was written in 1915 by Henry Barraclough, and he got the idea for his work from Psalm 45:8:
My Lord has garments so wondrous fine,
And myrrh their texture fills;
Its fragrance reached to this heart of mine
With joy my being thrills.
Refrain:
Out of the ivory palaces,
Into a world of woe,
Only His great eternal love
Made my Savior go.
His life had also its sorrows sore,
For aloes had a part;
And when I think of the cross He bore,
My eyes with teardrops start.
His garments, too, were in cassia dipped,
With healing in a touch;
In paths of sin had my feet e’er slipped—
He’s saved me from its clutch.
In garments glorious He will come,
To open wide the door;
And I shall enter my heav’nly home,
To dwell forevermore.
Believers worldwide have contributed to the uplifting, strengthening, and faith-building of Christians ever since Jesus the Christ came to the earth, walked among us, taught us the true things of God, and bore the just punishment for our sins. We live with hope because His resurrection proved His power over our greatest enemy – death.
It is difficult to put into words how we feel about our wonderful Savior’s sacrifice, or the unfathomable mercy our Creator/Sustainer demonstrated through His gift of salvation/reconciliation through sending His only begotten Son into this world.
Have A Great Christian Song to Uplift Others' Faith?
Thankfully, God blessed some great writers across the centuries with the insight and language to express what most of us can’t. What is your favorite spiritual song?
What Other Visitors Have Said
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A Wonderful Savior
A wonderful Savior is Jesus my Lord,
a wonderful Savior to me.
He hideth my soul in the cleft of the rock,
where rivers of pleasure I see.
Refrain: …